The Displaced People of Timbuktu

by Mark Gibson, Burkina Faso

The Tuareg are one of many Muslim people groups found in the north of Burkina Faso. Most, if not all, of the Tuareg in our area originate from the legendary town of Timbuktu, in the north of Mali. With their fiery temperaments and nomadic lifestyle, they have gained the reputation of being the warriors of the desert.

During the mid 1980s, following the independence of Mali, the Tuareg rebelled in order to gain independence. As a result, many Tuareg became refugees as they fled for their lives. A number settled around Djibo, one of the major northern towns in Burkina where SIM has been working among the Fulani people since 1982.

Once the uprising passed and stability was restored to the region surrounding Timbuktu, many Tuareg returned home, leaving just a scattering of families to make a go of life here. Fifteen years later, the troubles started again, and in mid-2008 more Tuareg refugees flooded over the border in search of a safe haven.

Since our arrival in Djibo in 2003, my wife and I have come to know a number of the Tuareg quite well, even though our purpose for being here is Fulani ministries. One Tuareg friend of ours owns a number of camels, and we often take visitors to his camp for the ride of a lifetime. But today his visitors are his own people, as a fresh wave of refugees descends.

Overwhelmed with the situation, our friend invited me to visit. Even as we entered the camp, crude shelters were being erected as the tired travelers sought shade from the intense heat of the sahelian sun. Many had only a couple of mats and the clothes they wore. The camp owner informed me that, even though he had been given the responsibility for these refugees, no aid had yet appeared and all he could do was feed them with his own dwindling supplies. He asked if I could help in any way.

As I listened to the people's stories, my heart went out to them. Many had travelled for over a month on foot, and all had fled in fear. A large percentage were women and children—two of the women gave birth within days of their arrival.

It's difficult to convey the details of their dreadful predicament, and even harder to assign blame. But one thing was clear—these Tuareg refugees are image bearers of the Creator and, because we are Christians, we have responsibilities. So, with the aid of a friend, a local church, and an NGO, I was able to help alleviate their suffering.

Read about how Mark and his friends were able to extend a helping hand in a difficult situation

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